MYPATH to Awareness, Fall 2018 ~ Classes and Workshops (Spring 2019 classes will be announced soon)
Ayurvedic Fermentation Class: Fall is a great time to start fermenting! We can use the bountiful veggie harvest to make delicious ferments. These provide vitamins, minerals, healthy probiotics, and digestive enzymes to keep us healthy and in optimal digestive function all winter long. This will be an Ayurvedic take on a basic kraut-making class. We'll use unique and fun ingredients and learn which doshas do best with fermented foods. Come, chop, pack, and make some healthy magic!
Beginners Meditation:Are you interested in learning how to meditate, and curious about the benefits that you might get? Join Amanda O'Bryan, mindfulness meditation coach, for this simple introduction to meditation. You will learn practical mindfulness skills, and discuss how to incorporate meditation into your daily life. This class is for anyone who is interested in meditation, whether you have never tried it before, have fallen out of the habit and would like to be re-inspired, or would just like to deepen your practice!
Chakra/Aromatherapy Meditation: Listen to the wisdom of your energetic body as a guided meditation on the chakra system enhances and awakens these spinning wheels of energy. We will also be exploring aromatherapy, discussing which essential oils correspond with each chakra. Beginner friendly!
Connection Meditation: Healing through Connection. Through discourse and powerful meditation techniques, this workshop will allow us to open our hearts and mend our wounds. We will be introduced to both Buddhist and Tantric meditation methods that will take us on a journey of self-love and deep compassion for others as we learn the importance of connection through the physical as well as the subtle and emotional planes. Learning to heal through the transformative power of connection will offer you the gift of infinite happiness and peace. All are most definitely welcome this workshop.
Crystal Workshop: For centuries humans have been working with quartz crystals for healing, technology, and decoration. They are not a new discovery, but there is a fresh energy around them that is undeniable. Crystals have gone mainstream! But why? And why now? In this workshop we will explore the origins and properties of quartz as well as discuss the why's and how they are here now in such abundant availability. Post discussion, each participant will select a hand dug quartz crystal to keep and be guided in a short meditation. One will leave more familiar with these power tools of self inquiry and an understanding of how to use and interpret the ancient eARTh wisdom they hold for the future of human evolution. Energy Awareness and Body Work: As you awaken, you become more sensitive to energy, and on the path of transformation, you face many life challenges. These challenges can be daunting, overwhelming, even debilitating, especially as you become more sensitive. Following your path, you may begin to have more “up” days and fewer “down” days, but sometimes you get stuck. Maybe you’re ecstatic one minute and completely morose the next. Come ready to share your experiences, practice gentle movements and learn powerful mental and spiritual tools for managing and balancing your emotions, including:
Reframing through curiosity, questioning and exploration
Tapping into your power through self-compassion and forgiveness
Clearing and energizing your aura with white light
Creating a healing and protective double shield with the archangels
Gentle Partner Yoga: Joining someone as a partner in their yoga practice is a very special connection. In Partner Yoga, we need not be in an intimate relationship with the partner in order to get the benefit of increased trust and expanded compassion for another human being. Partner Yoga allows us to deepen our practice of asana, to depend on others for balance, and to continue to learn that none of us is perfect. In Gentle Partner Yoga, we suspend judgment of ourselves and others as we explore our individual and collective experiences. We move slowly, and bring equal attention to the support we are giving and the support we are receiving. In this way, Partner Yoga allows us to continue to heal and transform ourselves, in community with others, thus making us better prepared to take that healing experience off the mat and out into the world. Partner Yoga prepares us to truly mean it when we say Namaste. Goddess Vinyasa Yoga (x2): Come explore and learn about the goddesses of Hindu mythology, during an invigorating Vinyasa flow. In this all-levels/beginner-friendly workshop we will use the physical asanas (yoga poses) to connect with Shakti, the divine feminine energy. Lee will use storytelling while leading you through creative sequencing, to connect you to the goddess within. The practice will end in a rejuvenating guided meditation.
Gong Bath Meditation (x2): Tisa has chosen to gift us with the relaxation of our minds and bodies ~ Self-Love and Self-Care are essential to maintaining balance. The Gong helps to help initiate or deepen your own spiritual journey. The process can provide assistance on all levels of healing; emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual. Allow yourself to enter a timeless space of listening as Tisa orchestrates her way through overtone rich instruments including Gongs, Indian Bells and Singing Bowl. Listeners have described the experience as an adventure in listening; sonic bliss; a deep and lasting vibrational rejuvenation for body and soul; a journey through the senses. Allow yourself to be still and listen. "Heart Songs" Sound Healing: Heart Songs Sound Healing Workshop provides an atmosphere for participants to experience the power of living, feeling, choosing, creating, healing, and moving through life from the heart space. These days most human beings are operating from the either/or, right/left, right/wrong functions of the mind. The mind serves the purpose of keeping us safe and RIGHT, which doesn’t always lead to the most fulfilling life. Through Heart Songs, participants learn extremely valuable and leading edge tools for harnessing the power of the mind, but LEADING from the heart. Channeled sound healing is also used to open the heart, move out past emotional energy, and guide participants to embody their heart-centered truth. These modalities work together to help participants release pain, embody their authentic power and manifest an expansive and joyful life. The workshop is 90 minutes (3 -30 minute sections). We use both speaking, sonic healing, sound healing tools (voice and otherwise) chakra balancing, energy work, mindfulness, visualization, meditation, and powerful experiential exercises to teach and heal. The participants will be full co-creators in the experience and will leave with a true sense of their heart, what it means to live and act from that space, and they will have practical tools to continue the work of integrating these practices into their daily life.
Journaling Meditation:In this workshop, we use the art of journaling to tap into our creative potential, release what we are ready to let go of, set intentions and create for ourselves a truly safe space for transformation. This journaling experience will include a short meditation to harness the energy of the heart so that we can hear what it wants to share and will be followed by different writing exercises for dumping ideas, expressing hopes and dreams and allowing, through a stream of consciousness for expansion into the most expressive and truthful version of ourselves. This workshop is completely free from judgement and totally confidential, you will not have to share anything that you write. Please come with an open heart and mind and also bring a journal or paper, a pen and a meditation pillow if needed.
Kaleidoscope Yoga (x2): Community Yoga; The art of yoga for groups. We will flow through geometrical shapes, patterns, and mandalas together. This is an all-ages, all-levels practice. Kaleidoscope Yoga is the roots of traditional yoga choreographed into a hand-holding, body-folding, heart-connecting community flow that everyone can enjoy.
Kirtan/ Introduction to Bhakti Yoga (x2): Kirtan is creating and tapping into sacred sound vibrations. It begins to awaken the dormant love deep within the heart that longs to merge with the Beloved. You are the Beloved One. Find your true Self. Opening our hearts together through sound vibrations, we will awaken together. The tradition we'll open to is Gaudiya Vaishnava Krishna Bhakti. Immerse into powerful, ancient rituals aimed at opening the heart and enlightening the mind. Kirtan is a very ancient call and response, musical chanting of sacred names or Harinama and creates incredible group energy, called Harinama sankirtan. Bhakti Yoga, the path of Devotion, is the path of Yoga we'll be exploring in these sessions, please join us! Kundalini(x2): ~Awaken Your Spirit with Kundalini Yoga~ Kundalini is known as the yoga of awareness. It increases energy, vitality, love and connectedness by moving energy up the spine. Kundalini means “coiled serpent”, and it is the name of the Shakti energy lying coiled in your root chakra. We'll use dynamic movement, mantra, and pranayama to open this energy pathway by releasing tension in your body. Laughter Yoga: Laugh, Breathe, Relax -- Get Happy and Healthy! Practice unconditional laughter - for health, fun and friendship. Laughter Yoga is a global movement for health, joy and world peace. In this session Angela Greer, Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, will lead you in a combination of yoga deep-breathing exercises, and get you moving with laughter exercises to make us feel more healthy and energetic. It's fun, silly and playful. All you need is a willingness to laugh and play along.
Mantra Meditation: This class will focus on the power of Mantra, we will explore how to personalize Mantras as well as learning the basics of Mantra Sadhana (Practice) including the benefits, how to use a Mala for meditation and how to determine which Mantras are right for you. Please bring a mala if you have one!
Natural Movement: Connect with your ancestors through rhythm, pattern, and breath seen throughout our evolution. Natural Movement brings a holistic flow which empowers large muscle groups, strengthens joints, and encourages a deep sense of mobility and range of motion.. As humans of the past, we may move as bears, babies, lizards, apes, and creatures in between. We will get in tune with what our bodies are saying, and move as they ask. This is a low-to-no impact movement fit for all bodies.
Nature Awareness Hike:In this 90 walk through the woods, we'll be discussing nature identification methods, and the cultural significance of the organisms in our forests. Experience nature with all of your sensations: sight, sounds, smells, tastes, and all of the feels. This is a health-enhancing practice that is useful for resetting your spirit in a digital world. Participants will come out of this workshop with a more holistic understanding of the world around us. Have you ever wanted to learn your trees, mushrooms or flowers? Chris will also be open to answer any questions. Beginners and experts welcome.
Permaculture: Permaculture is the abbreviation of “permanent agriculture” or “permanent culture.” How can we act from the place we are today to create and sustain a beautiful, healthy world for ourselves and future generations? It is already being done. The methods of Permaculture have been proven both in recent decades, and over millennia of indigenous practices. We can green the desert, restore ecological balance, rebuild our life-giving soils and water tables, and we can create abundance for human beings while we do it. In this brief introduction, we will go over some of the ethics, principles, and practices that can be immediately incorporated into our lives, wherever we find ourselves.
Qi Gong (x2): An art of great renown and ancient history, Qigong heals by creating internal harmony and balance within the practitioner, leading to a myriad of powerful, amazing benefits. While the modern world may tear us apart, leaving us lost, drained and confused, Qigong brings us back to natural peace, strength, and clarity. Grounding Qigong emphasizes an identification with and awareness of the body in order to re-balance the mind-body connection and bring greater harmony to the self. By accepting the body and its sensations, we deepen our awareness of Qi (Vital Energy). In this class, students will learn a basic Qigong routine with a variety of different applications tuned toward grounding and recentering. The program is easy to learn but offers depth for devoted students. Students of other healing arts, such as Yoga, Reiki, or Tai Chi, will learn transferable skills to enhance their existing practice. No special equipment is required. Please wear no-heel (zero drop) shoes or be prepared to practice in bare feet. Beginners welcome and encouraged! Come as you are!
Sunrise Hatha Yoga: Wake up with a traditional Hatha Yoga flow, balancing the masculine and feminine / sun and moon sides of the body by working on Pranayama (breathwork), Asana (physical postures) & Chanting... helping to relieve any stress or anxiety.
T'ai-Chi: T’ai-chi Ch’uan class will cover the basic principles of this marvelous ancient art form to explain why and how it functions as a health practice, a form of meditation and a martial art. Sonya and David will provide short demonstrations of a few martial applications and teach participants three foundational exercises: Standing Meditation, or I Ch’uan, Walking meditation and Chi Ruler, as well as two moves from the Yang Long Form sequence: Spread the Wild Horses Mane and Repulse the Monkey. If repeated regularly these basic exercises and moves can access the full potential of T’ai-chi Ch’uan for the practitioner.
Thai Massage (x2): The Art of Giving and Receiving: Thai Massage is a living tradition in which the practitioner uses thumbs, hands, elbows, knees and feet. These tools are used to compress muscles, aid in offering gentle traction, stimulate acupressure points, and to move and stretch the body. This releases tension, creates space and allows room for the healing in the body. In order to help facilitate and initiate the healing process, the practitioner must be aware of his or her own body, breath, movement and energy. With proper technique, compassion, and intuition, a healing session becomes therapeutic for both giver and receiver.
The Oneness of Being and Eating Meditation: Awakening to the true oneness of all sentient beings raises the vibrational frequency of every thought, word, and deed we express. This meditation practice is designed to incite the conscious connectivity of our biological lifeforms, sacred ,nourishment, and compassionate living. We will end with an eating meditation, As I will be providing some raw fruits/vegetables! Supporting texts include The World Peach Diet, by Will Tuttle, Ph.D and The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying, by Soygal Rinpoche.
Therapeutic Acro-Yoga: With the use of hands, feet, elbows, knees and the gift of gravity, Therapeutic Acroyoga provides a gentle traction to the body, giving greater mobility and a sense of freedom to the receiver. Mix this with the magic of human flight to silence the inner critic, expand the sense of connection between us all, and create space in the heart and length in the spine. All of this is facilitated by Metta - Loving Kindness. During our time together, you will learn how to efficiently give & receive these gifts with strength and surrender. You will practice deep awareness of your own body, breath, movement and energy for greater grace and ease in all things. We will focus on alignment and mindfulness to help you connect more deeply with yourself and your partner. With a keen eye on proper technique, compassion, and intuition, this healing session provides therapeutic benefit for everyone in the room, at all times, regardless of role. Tibetan Accupressure (x2): Tibetan Acupressure - Compassionate Touch (TACT) is a dynamic, three-dimensional healing system that incites the body's natural ability to inhabit a state of homeostasis. The framework for the treatment is an energetic partnership between the practitioner and the receiver. The practitioner stimulates reflex points in the body with a special twisting motion of the hand and fingers, while simultaneously engaging in a state of mindful meditation and compassionate breathing that radiates loving kindness.
Yin/Restorative Yoga(x2): This pleasant yoga practice could be thought of as your Daily Body Maintenance practice. We'll intend to move each major joint through it's full range of motion. Feel encouraged to move patiently and mindfully, while being guided through restorative poses, and perhaps some gentle flow.
You ARE where your attention is! (x2): You’ve probably heard people say that anything is possible. That’s actually true, but has anyone ever taught you what is required to make that possibility a reality? Most likely not. The solution to any problem and the means to making any dream come true is so simple it’s easy to overlook. Everything starts with your attention. Most people let their attention flap around in the wind like an air dancer at a used car lot. Guiding and gently directing your attention can be very easy. The experience of knowing YOU ARE where your Attention IS will give you specific tools to master your attention, your thoughts, your emotions, and ultimately the outcomes of your life. Yoga means union, and when you know what to unify with you can become unstoppable. With this simple power you can Be, Do, or Have anything your heart desires!